A former Lord Mayor of Dublin hit out at "trendy journalists" after an alleged assault on him that he believes took place due to his job as a politician.

Labour councillor Dermot Lacey was in a pub on the city's southside when he was allegedly struck on the back of the head by another man.

He first revealed the incident on Twitter. He said: "I was physically assaulted tonight by somebody who thinks it ok to attack a public rep.

"I am sore and angry."

Mr Lacey also said in the post: "Trendy journalists should be aware of their absolved responsibility."

Last night he told the Irish Independent he believes some media commentary has led to a view that politicians are "the nation's enemy number one". Mr Lacey said the vast majority of people he knows in politics - across the political spectrum - are "decent people who try to do a good job".

He said: "I don't think politicians are fair game for physical abuse."

Mr Lacey has made a statement on the alleged assault to Gardaí. Officers from Donnybrook are investigating the incident - which occurred in a premises on the Clonskeagh Road on Sunday night - as a minor assault.

Mr Lacey, a Dublin City Council member for the Pembroke-Rathmines ward, served as Lord Mayor between 2002 and 2003.